U.S. patent number 5,584,436 [Application Number 08/342,161] was granted by the patent office on 1996-12-17 for portable blower with detachable nozzle.
This patent grant is currently assigned to White Consolidated Industires, Inc.. Invention is credited to Arnold L. Sepke.
United States Patent |
5,584,436 |
Sepke |
December 17, 1996 |
Portable blower with detachable nozzle
Abstract
A flexible hose extends between the nozzle and body of a
portable blower. The nozzle has a handle to enable manipulation of
the nozzle. The hose is retractable into recesses in the body and
nozzle and the nozzle is mountable on the body. The blower may be
used in an extended or retracted position.
Inventors: |
Sepke; Arnold L. (Hudson,
IL) |
Assignee: |
White Consolidated Industires,
Inc. (Cleveland, OH)
|
Family
ID: |
23340628 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/342,161 |
Filed: |
November 18, 1994 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/154; 15/414;
239/195; 239/588 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L
5/14 (20130101); A47L 9/244 (20130101); A47L
9/32 (20130101); E01H 1/0809 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47L
9/32 (20060101); A47L 5/14 (20060101); A47L
9/24 (20060101); A47L 5/12 (20060101); E01H
1/08 (20060101); E01H 1/00 (20060101); B05B
009/08 (); B05B 015/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;239/152-154,195,289,525,588,DIG.12 ;47/234
;15/327.5,330,328,344,405,414,415.1,323 ;D23/383 ;D15/11
;D32/15,17 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Morris; Lesley D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Pearne, Gordon, McCoy &
Granger
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A blower assembly, comprising:
a blower;
a body housing the blower;
a nozzle releasably attachable to the body and having a
compartment; and
a flexible hose communicating the blower with the nozzle,
retractable in the compartment of the nozzle, and adapted to permit
movement of the nozzle independent of the body for directing air
from the blower to a selected location.
2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the blower includes a
driver and an impeller.
3. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the body includes a
compartment, the hose being retractable therein.
4. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hose is retracted
in the compartment when the nozzle is attached to the body.
5. An assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a handle
disposed on the nozzle.
6. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle is
positioned to permit air from the blower to be directed at a
selected location when the nozzle is attached to the body.
7. An assembly according to claim 1, further comprising means for
releasably attaching the nozzle to the body.
8. An assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a latch for
releasably attaching the nozzle to the body.
9. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the body includes an
elongated neck extending from the blower, said neck having a
passage therein in communication between the blower and the hose
and said hose being retractable within the neck.
10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the hose is slidable
within the elongated neck.
11. An assembly according to claim 10, further comprising a
retainer ring disposed on a proximal end of the hose and a bore
defined by the neck, said bore having a retainer lip engageable
with the retainer ring so as to retain the proximal end of the hose
in the bore and permit sliding of the retainer ring along the
bore.
12. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle is
rotatable relative to the body.
13. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hose is rotatable
relative to at least one of the body and the nozzle.
14. An assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a nozzle
attachment adapted to be disposed on the nozzle.
15. An assembly according to claim 14, wherein the attachment is
removable.
16. An assembly according to claim 15, wherein the attachment is
rotatable relative to the nozzle.
17. An assembly according to claim 16, wherein the attachment is
bent and, in use, has a rotational axis that bisects an angle
between two alternative directions in which the attachment is
adapted to direct air from the nozzle.
18. An assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a vent
adapted to divert a selected volume of air from the blower to
control air volume and velocity at the nozzle.
19. A blower assembly, comprising:
a blower;
a body housing the blower;
a nozzle releasably attachable to the body;
a flexible hose communicating the blower with the nozzle and
adapted to permit movement of the nozzle independent of the body
for directing air from the blower to a selected location; and
an elongated neck of the body extending from the blower, said neck
having a passage therein in communication between the blower and
the nozzle, said hose being retractable around the neck.
20. An assembly according to claim 19, wherein the neck includes a
tapered forward end adapted to mate with a rear taper of the
nozzle.
21. A blower assembly, comprising:
a blower having a driver and an impeller;
a body housing the blower and having an elongated neck extending
from the blower;
a rear handle disposed on the body;
a nozzle rigidly and releasably attachable to the body;
a forward handle disposed on the nozzle;
means disposed on the nozzle for releasably attaching the nozzle to
the body; and
a flexible hose communicating the blower with the nozzle and
adapted to permit movement of the nozzle independent of the body
for directing air from the blower to a selected location, a
proximal end of said hose being slidingly received in the neck and
being retractable therein and a distal end of said hose being
secured to the nozzle.
22. An assembly according to claim 21, wherein the attaching means
includes frictional interference between the nozzle and body.
23. An assembly according to claim 21, wherein the attaching means
includes a projection disposed on one of the body and nozzle and
matable with a partially helical slot disposed on the other of the
body and nozzle so as to permit relative twisting and axial
movement of the nozzle and body.
24. An assembly according to claim 21, wherein the attaching means
includes a tab disposed on one of the body and nozzle and
insertable in a socket disposed on the other of the body and nozzle
and a latch disposed opposite of the tab and socket and
interlocking the forward and rear handles.
25. An assembly, comprising:
a blower;
a body housing the blower;
a nozzle releasably attachable to the body and having a
compartment; and
a flexible hose communicating the blower with the nozzle and
adapted to permit movement of the nozzle independent of the body
for directing the nozzle at a selected location, wherein the blower
causes air to flow through the nozzle and the hose is retractable
in the compartment of the nozzle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of blowers and
specifically to a blower with a detachable nozzle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Portable blowers have become popular for a variety of uses,
including blowing yard debris, drying, and inflating. The blower
generally includes a fan or impeller powered by an electric motor
or small gasoline engine. A duct directs air to a nozzle that can
be placed adjacent an area or object to be blown. Portable blowers
should be relatively lightweight to permit the blower to be carried
and guided by hand because the entire blower must be moved to
redirect the nozzle.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,132,507 to Akiyama, U.S. Pat. No. 4,269,571 to
Shikutani, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,274 to Kiyooka each show a
portable blower having a nozzle attached to the body of the blower
by a flexible tube. This permits the nozzle to be moved somewhat
independently of the body.
It would be desirable to have the advantage of a flexible hose
permitting independent movement of the nozzle, while enabling the
blower to be used or stored with the nozzle rigidly fixed to the
body. Detachment and reattachment of the nozzle should be simple,
and air flow should be controlled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a blower assembly, including a
blower, a body housing the blower, and a nozzle releasably
attachable to the body. A flexible hose communicating the blower
with the nozzle is adapted to permit movement of the nozzle
independent of the body for directing air from the blower to a
selected location.
The blower includes a driver and an impeller. The body includes a
compartment, the hose being retractable therein. The nozzle may
also include a compartment, the hose being retractable therein. A
handle is disposed on the nozzle and the nozzle is positioned to
permit air from the blower to be directed at a selected location
when the nozzle is attached to the body. A latch or other means for
releasably attaching the nozzle to the body is provided.
The body includes an elongated neck extending from the blower. The
neck has a passage therein in communication between the blower and
the hose and said hose is retractable and slidable within the
elongated neck. A retainer ring disposed on a proximal end of the
hose is held in a bore defined by the neck. The bore has a retainer
lip engageable with the retainer ring so as the retain the proximal
end of the hose in the bore and permit sliding of the retainer ring
along the bore. The nozzle is rotatable relative to the body and
the hose is rotatable relative to at least one of the body and the
nozzle.
A nozzle attachment can be located on the nozzle. The attachment is
removable and rotatable relative to the nozzle. The attachment is
bent and, in use, has a rotational axis that bisects an angle
between two alternative directions in which the attachment is
adapted to direct air from the nozzle. A vent is adapted to divert
a selected volume of air from the blower to control air volume at
the nozzle.
The body includes an elongated neck extending from the blower, said
neck having a passage therein in communication between the blower
and the nozzle, said hose being retractable around the neck. The
neck includes a tapered forward end adapted to mate with a rear
taper of the nozzle.
The invention also provides a blower assembly, including a blower
having a driver and an impeller; a body housing the blower and
having an elongated neck extending from the blower; a rear handle
disposed on the body; a nozzle rigidly and releasably attachable to
the body; a forward handle disposed on the nozzle; means for
releasably attaching the nozzle to the body; and a flexible hose
communicating the blower with the nozzle and adapted to permit
movement of the nozzle independent of the body for directing air
from the blower to a selected location, a proximal end of said hose
being slidingly received in the neck and being retractable therein
and a distal end of said hose being secured to the nozzle. The
attaching means may include frictional interference between the
nozzle and body; a projection disposed on one of the body and
nozzle and matable with a partially helical slot disposed on the
other of the body and nozzle so as to permit relative twisting and
axial movement of the nozzle and body; or a tab disposed on one of
the body and nozzle and insertable in a socket disposed on the
other of the body and nozzle and a latch disposed opposite of the
tab and socket and interlocking the forward and rear handles.
The detachable nozzle allows the heavier body to be supported by a
strap or harness, thereby allowing a larger motor or engine to be
used for more blowing force. In the retracted position, the nozzle
and body form a compact, rigid unit usable for blowing. Because the
user does not need to extensively manipulate the body, more and
heavier components may be included in the body. Also, with the
light weight nozzle detached from the body, the amount of time the
blower can be used may be substantially extended before physical
fatigue begins to affect the operator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a side elevational view of a blower assembly according
to the invention with the hose in a retracted position;
FIG. 2 shows the blower assembly of FIG. 1 with the hose in an
extended position;
FIG. 3 shows a detail view of an attachment means according to one
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 shows a detail view of the attachment means of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 shows a detail view of an alternative attachment means;
FIG. 6 shows a detail view of a vent according to one aspect of the
invention;
FIG. 7 shows a vent according to another aspect of the
invention;
FIG. 8 shows a vent according to a further embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 9 shows partially cut away view of a forward part of a blower
assembly according to a further aspect of the invention showing the
hose in a retracted position;
FIG. 10 shows the entire blower assembly of FIG. 9; and
FIG. 11 shows the blower assembly of FIG. 10 with the hose in an
extended position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a blower assembly 10 includes a body 12
and a nozzle 14. Housed within the body is a blower 16 comprising a
fan or impeller 18 powered by a driver, such as an electric motor
20 or gasoline engine. The blower 16 is adapted to create a flow of
air through a passage 22 defined in an elongated neck 24 extending
from the body 12. The passage 22 communicates with a flexible hose
26. The hose 26 communicates with the nozzle 14 to permit air flow
from the blower 16 through the nozzle 14. The nozzle 14 may be
provided with a removable, rotatable attachment 28 suitable for
directing the air flow in a particular direction or flow
pattern.
The hose 26 may be made from any flexible, relatively air
impermeable material, for example vinyl with a helical reinforcing
wire. Another construction might include a blow-molded
configuration that consists of a blend of polyolefin plastic
material. A retainer ring 30 is secured at a proximal end of the
hose 26 and is adapted to slide in a generally cylindrical bore 32
defined in the neck 24. The bore is preferably concentric with the
passage 22. The ring is retained in the bore 32 by a retainer lip
34 disposed at a forward end of the bore 32. A distal end of the
hose 26 is secured to the nozzle 14. The distal end of the hose 26
may be slidingly disposed in the nozzle 14 by suitable means such
as a retainer ring and bore (not shown). The hose 26 is preferably
rotatable relative to the neck 24 and/or the nozzle 14 about a
longitudinal axis.
As shown in FIG. 1, the hose 26 is retractable within the neck 24
such that the retainer ring 30 is disposed at a rear end of the
bore 32. The hose 26 is compressed to permit the nozzle 14 to
engage the neck 24 or body 12. The nozzle 14 can be provided with a
bore 32a and lip 34a for retaining a ring 30a on the distal end of
the hose 76, similar to those provided at the neck 24 and proximal
end of the hose. The hose 26 may be retractable in either the neck
24 or the nozzle 14 or both. Referring to FIG. 2, the hose 26 is
extendable from the neck 24 such that the retainer ring 30 is
disposed at a forward end of the bore 32 and the nozzle 14 is
separated from the body 12 and neck 24. In the extended position,
the nozzle 14 can be manipulated relatively independently of the
body 12 to permit air from the blower 16 to be directed to a
selected location.
A rear handle 36 is provided on the body 12 and a forward handle 38
is provided on the nozzle 14. Because the heaviest components,
including the blower 16, are housed in the body 12, a strap 40 or
harness is provided for supporting the body. Controls for the
blower 16 and other elements of the assembly 10 may be provided on
the rear handle 36, forward handle 38, or both.
Referring to FIG. 3, the nozzle 14 is rigidly attachable to the
body by a latch 42 and by a tab 44 cooperating with a socket 46.
The tab 44 is disposed on a lower rear edge of the nozzle 14 and is
adapted to mate with the socket 46, which is disposed on lower
forward edge of the neck 14. The latch 42, shown also in FIG. 4,
includes a sliding actuator 48 having a pair of opposed spring tabs
50. The spring tabs 50 are adapted to engage a pair of
corresponding slots 53 in the forward handle 38 and have
projections 52 adapted to be received in dimple recesses 51.
Alternatively, the nozzle 14 may be attached to the body as shown
in FIG. 5. The neck 24 is provided with a pair of opposed
projections 54 adapted to mate with a pair of partially helical
slots 56 disposed in the nozzle 14. A rim or flange 58 may be
located on the neck 24 or nozzle 14 to limit relative axial
movement. The nozzle 14 is attached or removed from the neck 24 by
aligning the projections 54 with open ends of the slots 56 and
simultaneously rotating and longitudinally moving the nozzle 14.
The nozzle 14 is frictionally maintained on the neck 24. Other
attachment means may be suitable, such as a simple friction fit or
other configurations of latches.
Referring to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, a vent 60a, 60b, or 60c is provided
in the body 12 to communicate the passage 22 with the surrounding
atmosphere. The vent 60a, 60b, or 60c is closed by an adjustable
cover, such as a slide 62 (FIG. 6), a rotatable disk 64 (FIG. 7),
or a ring 66 (FIG. 8). By adjustment of the cover, the vent 60
diverts a selected volume of air from the blower 16 away from the
nozzle 14 to control the volume and velocity of air at the nozzle
14.
An alternative embodiment of a blower assembly 110 is shown in
FIGS. 9, 10, and 11. A hose 116 is disposed outside of a neck 124
extending from a body 112. The neck 124 is tapered slightly so as
to be receivable in a taper 115 or collar of the nozzle 114. The
nozzle is attachable to the body 112 by a suitable attachment
means, such as a latch 142, similar to those previously described.
The hose 116 is secured between the nozzle 114 and the body 112. In
a retracted position, the hose 116 is compressed around the neck
124 and the nozzle 114 is attached to the body 112, as shown in
FIGS. 9 and 10. In an extended position, the nozzle 114 is
separated from the body 112 and the hose 116 extends to permit
movement of the nozzle 114 independent of the body 112.
As shown in FIG. 11, a curved or bent attachment 128 may be
rotatably mounted on the nozzle 114. In a normal use position, a
rotational axis 129 is disposed at 45.degree. with respect to two
alternative directions in which the attachment directs air from the
nozzle. Thus, by rotating the attachment 128, the same attachment
can be used for directing air in different directions while
permitting the nozzle to be held at a single attitude. The
rotational axis 129 bisects an angle between the alternative
directions in which the attachment directs air.
In operation, returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the blower assembly 10 is
comfortably supported on a user's shoulder with the strap 40. The
nozzle 14 is detached from the body 12, either before or after
activating the blower, by sliding the latch actuator 48 to release
the forward handle 38. Using the forward handle 38 the nozzle is
moved to a desired position, thereby sliding the retainer ring 30
forward and extending the hose 26. The nozzle is easily movable to
direct air at a desired location. When blowing is completed, the
nozzle 14 is moved toward the body 12 to compress and retract the
hose 26 inside the neck 24. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tab 44
is inserted in the socket 46. The nozzle 14 is tilted toward the
neck 24 so that the forward handle 38 separates the spring tabs 50.
The spring tabs 50 then engage the slots 53 to prevent tilting of
the nozzle 14, thereby securing the nozzle on the neck 24. If
desired, the blower assembly 10 may be used in its retracted
position. Attachments may be removed and replaced as necessary.
The present disclosure describes several embodiments of the
invention, however, the invention is not limited to these
embodiments. Other variations are contemplated to be within the
spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims.
* * * * *